Ark is a multi-sensory immersive experience that investigates the potential for community healing and interpersonal connection through the lens of Indigenous African wisdom. Rooted in traditions that emphasize nature, art, and ceremonial practices, this project is a creative experiment to explore how these elements, when thoughtfully curated, can foster deep communal bonding. The initiative responds to contemporary societal challenges—economic, social, and environmental—by seeking to rekindle spirituality through hope, symbolism, and beauty. Ark is the culmination of seven years of research into individual and collective healing.
Across various cultural traditions, an ark is regarded as a sacred vessel—one that provides refuge, facilitates transformation, and ensures survival amidst uncertainty. It carries the weight of human narratives, history, and aspirations. In this context, Ark represents both a physical and metaphorical journey of healing, offering a sanctuary for exploration, reflection, and connection. Each participant in this ceremonial experience assumes the role of an Ark, carrying within them the potential for inner transformation and the memory of the event, which they subsequently transmit to their wider community. Moreover, this project serves as a conduit for preserving and transmitting Indigenous African wisdom, inviting participants to engage in a collective voyage toward healing and unity
The curation of Ark has been meticulously designed to reinforce this conceptual framework. The chosen venue—a former Buddhist temple repurposed as an arts space—possesses strong architectural features and high ceilings that contribute to its spiritual resonance. Now a hub for cultural events such as theatre, dance, concerts, film festivals, and art exhibitions, the site provides an ideal setting for this transformative and participatory experience.
The creative experiment was supported by the. Canada Council for the Arts and Hariri Pontarini Architects
The exhibition space is delineated into two primary realms: the “Shrine” and the “Village.” At the heart of the experience stands the Shrine, a striking 13-foot-tall sculptural installation meticulously crafted according to instructions derived from Somé’s teachings and imbued with the artistic interpretation of Odudu, the project’s creator. This central structure, adorned with flora, serves as the focal point of the ceremony. Surrounding it are twenty-four sculptural clay vessels, each containing a symbolic “Seed” modeled after the unbloomed African daisy. These elements constitute the foundation of the audience-engaged ritual ceremony, which is further enriched by a live musical performance led by Sewa, a renowned Nigerian musician. Participants are invited to bring personally significant artifacts—such as photographs or small keepsakes—as offerings to the Shrine.
The ritual commences with a choreographed procession, marked by an evocative interplay of sound and symbolism. Guided by Odudu, participants carry their offerings from the symbolic Village toward the Shrine, where they select a Seed from one of the surrounding vessels. Upon reaching the Shrine, they sanctify their offering with a prayer before placing it within the vessel in exchange for the Seed. This act symbolizes the nurturing of new growth. The Seed is then anointed with water drawn from a traditional gourd within the Shrine, reinforcing the cyclical nature of life and renewal. Participants then return to the Village, where spoken blessings and affirmations are bestowed upon the Seed, transforming it into a symbolic Ark that embodies intention and aspiration. This sequence continues until all participants have completed the ritual, culminating in a powerful musical finale.
As part of my ongoing research into both individual and communal healing, I conducted a series of interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life stages, exploring the three central themes of the immersive experience: Community, Faith, and Ceremony. Among the notable interviewees were Siamak Hariri, founding partner of Hariri Pontarini Architects, and Lisa Landrum, Head of the Department of Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. These videotaped interviews were displayed in a dedicated space preceding the sanctuary, offering contextual depth to the experience and serving as a key component of the marketing campaign
Odudu and the key collaborators of the Ark project lead an intimate discussion about the creative journey behind this immersive experience that blends music, art, and architecture to explore the potential for community healing and connection.
The discussion was hosted by Hariri Pontarini Architects
